BMW bikes in India

BMW to launch bikes in India by December.

German automaker BMW plans to launch motorcycles in India by December through its global motorcycle venture, BMW Motorrad. This marks BMW's re-entry into the motorcycle segment in the country after it burnt its fingers here in mid-90s. Today, BMW is known for premium cars in India.

BMW motorcycles are expected to be priced around Rs 18 lakh onwards. BMW, in a release issued in Munich said it has appointed two official importers for its motorcycles, including Deutsche Motoren in Delhi and Navnit Motors in Mumbai and Bangalore, representing the north, west coast and the southern part of the country.

Of late, the super bike segment in the country has attracted attention of almost all the global bike manufacturers. Yamaha, Ducati, Harley Davidson, Honda and Suzuki have launched superbikes in the country, with price ranging between Rs 7 lakh going up to around Rs 50 lakh. Currently, the Indian superbike market (800 cc and above) is a little less than 1,000 units per annum.

Some of the models that BMW plans to bring into the country include the R 1200 GS, S 1000 RR and the bigger K series bikes with 4-cylinder engines. The motorcycles will be produced at the BMW Motorrad plant in Berlin and supplied to India as CBU (completely built up) units.

It is noteworthy that the company already sources components for its motorcycles from India, including gears, castings and assembly parts. The BMW group is looking at controlling costs and enhancing its component outsourcing from the emerging markets in line with its focus on the eastern markets.

Hendrik von Kuenheim, general director, BMW Motorrad, said, "The BMW Group has already established itself very successfully in India with a local BMW automobile production and a sales network for BMW Group automobiles."